Clip applicator

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a clip applicator that can firmly fasten together sheets of paper and other matters to be clipped without causing damage thereto through a mechanical and continuous clipping operation. It consists of a base with a guide groove, which is capable of being loaded with a stick of clips, whereon there is attached a cover that guides the stick of clips. And to said base or cover is attached a handle fitted with a press plate that pushes the foremost piece of the stick of clips to separate said piece of clip from the stick and deform it by pressing for fastening. The mechanism of this clip applicator is that the handle, when pushed, sends the press plate into the bendable end of the stick of clips to separate a clip from the stick and deform it by pressure of the press plate, thus firmly fastening together, from the both sides, sheets of paper etc. inserted into the opening part of the clip.

United States Patent Mashita [4 May 30, 1972 [54] CLIP APPLICATOR 2,289,308 7 1942 Fancher et al. ..227 127 x [72] Inventor: Saburo Mashlta, liuyroka, Japan Primary Examiner AndreW R Juhasz [73] Assignee: Max Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden [22] Filed Mar 19 1970 Attomey-Woodhams, Blanchard & Flynn [21] Appl. No.: 21,129 [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a clip applicator that can firmly [30] Foreign Application Priority Data fasten together sheets of paper and other matters to be clipped without causing damage thereto through a mechanical and Mar. 24, 1969 Japan ..44/26064 continuous clipping operation. It consists of a base with a guide groove, which is capable of being loaded with a stick of (gl .ii /243165323?l clips whereon there is attached a cover that guides the Stick of I clips. And to said base or cover is attached a handle fitted with [58] Field of Search g gfg gg a press plate that pushes the foremost piece of the stick of clips to separate said piece of clip from the stick and deform it by pressing for fastening. The mechanism of this clip applica- [56] References Cited tor is that the handle, when pushed, sends the press plate into UNITED STATES PATENTS the bendable end of the stick of clips to separate a clip from the stick and deform it by pressure of the press plate, thus 2,643,376 6/ i953 Semler 0227/ 125 firmly fastening together from the both Sides, Sheets f paper l lzmgfltln'iid.m;l ..227/ I20 7 inserted into the opening pan f the clip aetz 0 et 3,302,842 2/1967 MacEachron ..227/120 1 1 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAY 30 I972 SHEET in; 3

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INVENTOR MEX/F0 MAM/74 BY %ZLAM%% ATTORNEYS cup APPLICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There have been used paper clips, paper holders, etc. for fastening together sheets of paper and other matters, and for the fastening of a pair of socks, gloves, etc. has also been used continuous staplers that use approximately U-shaped staples with pointed ends. But they have their own disadvantages; the former is inefficient, as it is necessary to open a clip or a holder by hand, one by one, to insert sheets of paper etc. into it, whereas the latter is not necessarily suitable for all the purposes because of the holes made on the matters fastened by the pointed ends of the staples.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a guide groove to guide a stick or stack of clips is provided in the form of U on the upper surface of a base, and over the guide groove is mounted a cover which serves to eliminate the vertical play when guiding the stick of clips loaded in the groove. The stick of clips is made of numbers of clips attached together with a binding agent and pushed forward by a clip pusher which is moved by the action of a spring.

A handle hinged to one end of the base has a press plate on its inside, which presses forward, when the handle is lowered, the bendable end of the foremost piece of clip. If a part of the guide groove where the pressing of the press plate takes place is formed into a dent into which the end of the stick of clip can fall, it will ensure not only the separation of a piece of clip from the stick but also the increase of its fastening power.

As described above, the clip applicator according to this invention can firmly fasten sheets of paper etc. with its very simple structure. It can also fasten them mechanically and continuously, without leaving holes on them. Furthermore, it can be operated with ease and works with certainty.

And a provision of a dent to the part, on which the fastening action takes place, of the guide groove on the base facilitates not only the separation of the bonded lower end of the clips but also their subsequent fastening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiments of this invention will be explained by the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is its sectional front view.

FIG. 3 is its exploded perspective view.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of its essential parts.

FIG. 6 is sectional front view of a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is its sectional side view.

First of all, the first embodiment will be explained in accordance with FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. A base 1 has an upwardly opening channel-shaped guide groove 2 formed therein to guide a stick or stack of clips (A), and is cut up at its rear end to form a projection 3 to which is to be fitted a clip push rod 8. A cover 4 is designed to guide the stick of clips (A) without vertical play, one end of which forms an adapter plate 5 through which is passed the clip push rod 8. Within a lid 6 secured to the bottom of the base 1 is a room for a spare stick of clips, which serves also for the reinforcement of the base 1. g

A clip pusher 7 is put on the clip push rod 8, allowing itself to slide freely, which is attached to the projection 3 on the upper surface of the base 1, and always pressed forward by a spring 9 placed between the projection 3 and itself7 to thus cause the endmost clip to be urged against the end wall 2. A handle 10, whose both ends are formed into the projections 11 to be hinged to the base 1, is fitted with a press plate 12, near such one end of its inside as to coact with the endmost clip located adjacent the end wall 2 of the guide groove 2 formed on the base 1. A leaf spring 13 is attached to and between the handle 10 and the cover 4 to urge the handle 10 into its opened or released position. A knob 14 is projected at the rear end of the clip pusher 7 for the purpose of handling. The clip (A) has an approximate channel shape and each clip includes a pair of substantially parallel legs. The clips are held together in a stick or stack, as by a binding agent, to permit individual dispensing of the endmost clip. The stick of clips is disposed in the device so that the longitudinal axis of the stick is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the leverlike handle 10. Also, when disposed in the device, the mouth (B) of the clips as defined between the legs opens substantially radially outwardly away from the pivot axis of the handle 10.

Now the description of operation will be given. Open the handle 10 wide manually (See the singledotted-dash-line in FIG. 1.), pull the clip pusher 7 by its knob 14 out of the cover .between the guide groove 2 on the base 1 and the under surface of the cover 4, turn the clip pusher 7 to get it released from the cover 4 and fall on the surface of the base 1 to press the stick of clips (A) from the rear end, and finally return the handle 10 to bring a handle spring 13 into contact with the cover 4, thus perfecting the loading of the stick of clips (A).

When sheets of paper or other matters to be fastened are inserted from the direction of the arrow, they are inserted into the sidewardly directed, channel-shaped opening of the stick of clips (A). Therefore, on pressing the handle 10 (see the double-dotted-dash-line in FIG. 1.), the press plate 12 will touch the bendable ends of the frontmost clip to break its bond with the stick, thereby separating the frontmost clip (A) and deforming its legs to firmly fasten together sheets of paper etc. from both sides. 7

The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a variation of the foregoing first embodiment modified by forming a dent 15, into which the bottom end of the stick of clips (A) can fall, at one end of the guide groove 2 where the fastening action takes place. And its parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are marked with the same symbols. When the handle 10 is pressed (See the double-dotted-dash-line in FIG. 1.), the press plate 12 touches the bendable end of the foremost clip (A) and sends the foremost clip (A) into the dent 15, which facilitates the separation of its bonded part from the next clip as well as its compressed deformation by the pressure of the press plate 12, thus enabling the clamping and fastening of sheets of paper etc. from both sides.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the third embodiment consisting of a base 21, on one side of whose upper surface is fixed a magazine 23 with a slotlike opening 22 extending longitudinally thereof, on the upper inside of which, in turn, is fixed a downwardly opening channel-shaped guide member 24. The member 24 guides a stick of clips (A). A handle 25 is hinged, at one end, to the magazine 23, allowing itself to open freely. On the inside of the handle 25 is fitted a press plate 26 extending downward so as to come into contact, when slid, with a L- shaped metal fitting 27 which is attached to the magazine 23. A clip pusher 28 is fitted, allowing itself to slide freely, to the clip push rod 30 attached to the bent-down piece 29 which is hung, allowing itself to be hung and removed freely, at the slit 23' at the edge of the magazine 23. And the push spring 31 inserted between the bent-down piece 29 and the clip pusher 28 pushes the clip pusher 28 in the direction of the press plate 26.

For loading the stick of clips (A) into this clip applicator, slide the bent-down piece 29 towards the magazine 23 against the force of the push spring 31 and thereby release it from the magazine 23 to pull the clip pusher 28 together with the clip push rod 30 out of the magazine 23. Then load the stick of clips (A) into the magazine 23, insert the clip pusher 28 back to the inside of the magazine 23 to push the stick of clips (A) as far as the L-shaped metal fitting 27, and hang the bent down piece 29 at the slit 23' on the magazine 23 to perfect the loading of the stick of clips (A).

To fasten sheets of paper etc. with a clip, insert them from the direction of the arrow (FIG. 7), and they will be placed in the sidewardly opening mouth 22 of the stick of clips (A). Then, when the handle 25 is pushed, the press plate 26 touches the bendable leg of the endmost clip (A) to separate it from the stick of clips, and the endmost clip alone will be deformed by the pressure of the press plate 26 to firmly fasten sheets of paper etc. from both sides.

Thus, the present invention has an excellent effect to provide a clip applicators at reasonable prices that can, in spite of their simple structures, mechanically, continuously and firmly fasten together sheets of paper etc. without making any hole on them, and with easy handling and reliable operation.

I claim:

' 1. A clip applicator, comprising:

base means including a pair of opposed wall members defining therebetween an elongated channel-like space adapted to receive therein a stack of U-shaped clips;

said base means also having an elongated slotlike opening extending longitudinally of and in continuous communication with said elongated space, said stack of clips being positionable within said space so that the clips open sidewardly of said space in substantial alignment with said slotlike opening, whereby the edges of a plurality of sheetlike members can be inserted through said slotlike opening into the open interiors of said stack of U-shaped clips; and

actuator means pivotally mounted on said base means and including presser means positioned for engagement with the endmost clip of said stack for causing the legs of said endmost clip to be relatively deformed toward one another in response to pivotal movement of said actuator means toward said base means, whereby the legs of said endmost clip are disposed on opposite sides of and clampingly hold said plurality of sheetlike members therebetween.

2. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said base means includes a stop portion positioned for engagement with said endmost clip, and resilient means coacting between said base means and said stack of clips for resiliently urging said stack of clips longitudinally of said channel-like space for maintaining said endmost clip directly adjacent said stop portion, whereby said endmost clip is disposed in alignment with said presser means.

3. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinally extending direction of said channel-like space and said stack of clips disposed therein is substantially parallel to the pivot axis between said actuator means and said base means.

4. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinally extending direction of said channel-like base and said stack of clips disposed therein is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis between said actuator means and said base means.

5. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said resilient means includes a clip pusher member disposed within said channel-like space and positioned for engagement with the end of said stack of clips opposite said stop portion, said clip pusher member having a U-shaped portion disposed substantially in alignment with the stack of U-shaped clips for enabling said plurality of sheet-like members to be inserted into the interiors of said clip and into the opening defined by said U-shaped portion irrespective of the position of said clip pusher member within said channel-like space, said resilient means also including spring means coacting between said base means and said clip pusher member for urging said clip pusher member toward said stop portion.

6. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said base means includes a support member having a plate-like support wall defining one of said opposed wall members, said support wall having a shallow elongated channel-like groove formed therein for permitting said stack of clips to be partially disposed within said groove, said stack of clips being positioned within said groove so that the clip legs on one side of said stack are substantially parallel to and supported on said support wall;

the other wall member of said base means comprising a plate-like cover disposed opposite said support wall, and hinge means pivotally connecting said cover along one edge thereof to said support member, said hinge means defining a hinge axis substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending direction of said stack, whereby said cover is thus pivotally swingable between a open loading position and a closed use position, said cover in said closed use position being spaced from and substantially parallel to said support wall and being disposed closely adjacent and overlying the opposite clip legs of said stack; and

said stack of clips as disposed within said applicator opening radially outwardly away from said hinge axis, and the free edges of said support wall and said cover being spaced apart to define said elongated slotlike opening therebetween substantially in alignment with the open interior of said stack of clips.

7. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein said actuator means includes a platelike actuator lever pivotally connected along one edge thereof to said support member, said actuator lever being pivotally connected to said support member along the same edge thereof as said cover, said cover being disposed between said actuator lever and said support member, and spring means disposed between said actuator lever and said cover for resiliently urging same in opposite rotational directions, said spring means normally urging said cover toward said stack of clips while simultaneously urging said actuator lever upwardly away from said cover into a released position; and

said presser means comprising a platelike presser member fixedly secured to said actuator lever and disposed substantially within the same plane as said endmost clip, said presser member engaging one leg of the endmost clip in response to pivotal movement of said actuator lever toward said cover in opposition to the urging of said spring means for causing said one leg to be deformed toward the opposite leg which is disposed in engagement with said support member for causing said legs to clampingly engage the opposite sides of a plurality of sheetlike members.

8. An applicator according to claim 7, wherein said platelike presser member is disposed within a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis between said support member and said actuator lever, and said stack of clips extending longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel to said pivot axis.

9. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said base means comprises wall means defining an elongated tubular magazine adapted to hold said stack of U-shaped clips therein, said wall means having said elongated slotlike opening formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof for communication with the interior of said magazine.

10. An applicator according to claim 9, wherein said actua tor means includes an actuator lever pivotally connected to one end of said magazine for swinging movement of said actuator lever toward and away from said magazine about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinally extending direction of said magazine;

said pusher means including a platelike pusher member fixedly secured to said actuating lever, said magazine having suitable slot means formed in one wall thereof for permitting said pusher member to be slidably inserted therethrough into the interior of said magazine for engagement with said endmost clip; and

said slotlike opening as formed in said magazine opening outwardly in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of pivotal movement of said actuator lever.

11. An applicator according to claim 10, wherein said resilient means continually urges said stack of clips inwardly toward said hinge axis, and means associated with the other end of said magazine for permitting a stack of clips to be loaded into said magazine. 

1. A clip applicator, comprising: base means including a pair of opposed wall members defining therebetween an elongated channel-like space adapted to receive therein a stack of U-shaped clips; said base means also having an elongated slotlike opening extending longitudinally of and in continuous communication with said elongated space, said stack of clips being positionable within said space so that the clips open sidewardly of said space in substantial alignment with said slotlike opening, whereby the edges of a plurality of sheetlike members can be inserted through said slotlike opening into the open interiors of said stack of U-shaped clips; and actuator means pivotally mounted on said base means and including presser means positioned for engagement with the endmost clip of said stack for causing the legs of said endmost clip to be relatively deformed toward one another in response to pivotal movement of said actuator means toward said base means, whereby the legs of said endmost clip are disposed on opposite sides of and clampingly hold said plurality of sheetlike members therebetween.
 2. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said base means includes a stop portion positioned for engagement with said endmost clip, and resilient means coacting between said base means and said stack of clipS for resiliently urging said stack of clips longitudinally of said channel-like space for maintaining said endmost clip directly adjacent said stop portion, whereby said endmost clip is disposed in alignment with said presser means.
 3. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinally extending direction of said channel-like space and said stack of clips disposed therein is substantially parallel to the pivot axis between said actuator means and said base means.
 4. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinally extending direction of said channel-like base and said stack of clips disposed therein is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis between said actuator means and said base means.
 5. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said resilient means includes a clip pusher member disposed within said channel-like space and positioned for engagement with the end of said stack of clips opposite said stop portion, said clip pusher member having a U-shaped portion disposed substantially in alignment with the stack of U-shaped clips for enabling said plurality of sheet-like members to be inserted into the interiors of said clip and into the opening defined by said U-shaped portion irrespective of the position of said clip pusher member within said channel-like space, said resilient means also including spring means coacting between said base means and said clip pusher member for urging said clip pusher member toward said stop portion.
 6. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said base means includes a support member having a plate-like support wall defining one of said opposed wall members, said support wall having a shallow elongated channel-like groove formed therein for permitting said stack of clips to be partially disposed within said groove, said stack of clips being positioned within said groove so that the clip legs on one side of said stack are substantially parallel to and supported on said support wall; the other wall member of said base means comprising a plate-like cover disposed opposite said support wall, and hinge means pivotally connecting said cover along one edge thereof to said support member, said hinge means defining a hinge axis substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending direction of said stack, whereby said cover is thus pivotally swingable between a open loading position and a closed use position, said cover in said closed use position being spaced from and substantially parallel to said support wall and being disposed closely adjacent and overlying the opposite clip legs of said stack; and said stack of clips as disposed within said applicator opening radially outwardly away from said hinge axis, and the free edges of said support wall and said cover being spaced apart to define said elongated slotlike opening therebetween substantially in alignment with the open interior of said stack of clips.
 7. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein said actuator means includes a platelike actuator lever pivotally connected along one edge thereof to said support member, said actuator lever being pivotally connected to said support member along the same edge thereof as said cover, said cover being disposed between said actuator lever and said support member, and spring means disposed between said actuator lever and said cover for resiliently urging same in opposite rotational directions, said spring means normally urging said cover toward said stack of clips while simultaneously urging said actuator lever upwardly away from said cover into a released position; and said presser means comprising a platelike presser member fixedly secured to said actuator lever and disposed substantially within the same plane as said endmost clip, said presser member engaging one leg of the endmost clip in response to pivotal movement of said actuator lever toward said cover in opposition to the urging of said spring means for causing said one leg to be deformed toward the opposite leg which is disPosed in engagement with said support member for causing said legs to clampingly engage the opposite sides of a plurality of sheetlike members.
 8. An applicator according to claim 7, wherein said plate-like presser member is disposed within a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis between said support member and said actuator lever, and said stack of clips extending longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel to said pivot axis.
 9. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said base means comprises wall means defining an elongated tubular magazine adapted to hold said stack of U-shaped clips therein, said wall means having said elongated slotlike opening formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof for communication with the interior of said magazine.
 10. An applicator according to claim 9, wherein said actuator means includes an actuator lever pivotally connected to one end of said magazine for swinging movement of said actuator lever toward and away from said magazine about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinally extending direction of said magazine; said pusher means including a platelike pusher member fixedly secured to said actuating lever, said magazine having suitable slot means formed in one wall thereof for permitting said pusher member to be slidably inserted therethrough into the interior of said magazine for engagement with said endmost clip; and said slotlike opening as formed in said magazine opening outwardly in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of pivotal movement of said actuator lever.
 11. An applicator according to claim 10, wherein said resilient means continually urges said stack of clips inwardly toward said hinge axis, and means associated with the other end of said magazine for permitting a stack of clips to be loaded into said magazine. 